Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., sits down with Judy Woodruff to discuss why she opposes Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch and blames Republicans for using the “nuclear” option to end the filibuster for high court confirmations, plus Rep. Devin Nunes’ stepping aside from the House Intelligence investigation into Russian election meddling and Speaker Paul Ryan’s challenges in the House. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — Key senators say they’re close to a deal on a bill to help sex-trafficking victims, potentially clearing the way for a vote to confirm President Barack Obama’s attorney general. Continue reading →

As chair of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., worked to draft the bipartisan budget agreement with Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Judy Woodruff talks to Murray about how the budget deal will help Congress tackle tougher issues ahead and bring certainty back to the U.S. economy. Continue reading →

In other news Thursday, state officials raised the count of homes destroyed by the Bastrop County wildfire to nearly 1,400. The fire is about 30 percent contained. Also, two NATO troops have been killed in a roadside bombing in southern Afghanistan. There is no word on their nationalities or the exact location of the attack. Continue reading →

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named three Democrats to the 12-member Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction on Thursday. Margret Warner discusses the committee’s members, its unique rules and its deficit-reduction goals with Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute and NPR reporter Andrea Seabrook. Continue reading →